Nc. 
7 
6 
  
4 p house 
3 V fence 
— parcel boundary 
2 cadastral sub-division 
ave boundary 
1 
figure 1: multi-theme feature 
For more detailed information, see [NOEV 1980, NOEV 1980, NOEV 1989, Stoeppler 1985a, Stoeppler 1985b] 
3. Software used 
The software package MicroStation PC was introduced by 
Bentley Systems Inc. around 1987 as further development of 
IGDS (VAX-based), graphic software of Intergraph. Already 
the older version was used for mapping, especially in 
photogrammetry. With the development towards digital based 
production lines, the capabilities of MicroStation PC were fully 
utilized by the users, particular for those using 
photogrammetric workstations in their production line. 
Intergraph software was chosen by the vast majority of the 
German photogrammetric companies as their graphic software. 
Several advantages are the basis for this choice: 
easy to use 
economic since it has a good performance 
powerful application programs 
includes possibilities of own programming (from 
simple to sophisticated programs) 
does not need data conversions between 
MicroStation software running on different 
platforms 
can be used with commercial DBMS 
has interfaces for different other data formats 
(import/export) 
offers vector and raster capabilities 
is customized for semi-analytical, analytical and 
digital plotters of different manufactures 
+ + + + 
The latest software version 5.0 (MicroStation PC 5.0 available 
in Europe since autumn 1993) includes a number of 
remarkable extensions of functions. Some of them are going to 
be used for the user interface designed. It was found, that they 
are useful for the problems, which had to be solved. The most 
interesting new features for the field of mapping applications 
are : 
- group settings 
- custom line styles 
- tags ; 
- SELECTOR as part of MicroStation 5.0 
- dynamic patterning and hatching 
- extended text functions 
- extended complex functions 
- tool settings box 
More details are given in [Intergraph 1994]. 
837 
4. Design of the data structure 
Transferring a given conceptual data model in the data 
structure of a graphics software needs a lot of time-consuming 
work. Everything has to be tested rigorously until the results 
are satisfactory. Only after that a production line can start. 
Performing structural changes during data capturing or before 
data delivery is very costly and even more time-consuming. 
But also number of other aspects have to be considered when 
designing a user interface, namely: 
- the requirements of the customer 
- economic aspects 
- easy to handle for the operator 
- the structure has to be clearly defined 
- easy to check 
- as much as possible supported by the system 
- repetition of work should be avoided 
- a good documentation for users 
- new features of the software should be used, if 
well documented 
Trying to consider all these points, a data structure for the ALK 
data model in Intergraph MicroStation 5.0 was designed by the 
authors of this paper 
In addition to the more general points mentioned above, there 
are a number of ALK-specific topics to be reviewed. 
The cartographic requirements defined in the ZV-Aut NRW 
have to be met, as well as the settings given by the OBAK- 
LiegKat NRW in terms of elements to be captured, layer 
orientation, object formation, object names and coordinate, 
area coverage, non-redundancy of the data set, etc.. 
Because MicroStation 5.0 is neither object-oriented nor able to 
handle a multi-theme vector data structure in its original 
design, special solutions for these topics had to be found. 
Virtual points (cf: 2.) are not a default feature of the 
MicroStation either, therefore a specific procedure was needed. 
Finally, restrictions due to plotting and the planned data 
transfer via EDBS had to be examined, because in first 
instance the data set should serve data delivery purposes, but 
plotting requirements also have to be considered. The general 
questions are discussed in the next section, while the solutions 
of specific problems are given after, following the ALK 
structure. 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B4. Vienna 1996